squeak
squeak
Definition
squeak (skwēk)
intransitive verb
- to make or utter a short, sharp, high-pitched sound or cry
- Chiefly Brit., Informal to act as an informer; squeal
Etymology: ME squeken, prob. akin to ON skvakka, to gurgle
transitive verb
- to utter or produce in a squeak
- to cause (a door, etc.) to squeak
noun
a thin, sharp, usually short sound or cry
squeak′y adjective squeak′i·er, squeak′i·est
squeak′i·ly adverb
narrow squeak
or close squeak or near squeakInformal a narrow escape
squeak through
or squeak byInformal to succeed, get through, survive, etc. by a narrow margin or with difficulty
squeak
Synonyms
squeak
Synonyms
squeak
Usage Examples
Object
- noise: The usual method of dealing with problem people is to spend more time with them to try to correct the squeaking noise.
- door: Reluctant squeaking barn doors moved today, possibly the first time for decades!
- sound: Pupa Lives in a very fragile cocoon below the soil and is said to produce a squeaking sound shortly before the adult emerges.
- bit: My brother sits outdoors in the night and squeaks a bit on his oboe, nothing much.
- home: However we were unable to press home our advantage and in the dying light Totteridge squeaked home with a wicket to spare.
Converse of object
- hear: Did you ever hear the terrible squeak of chalk on an old dry blackboard?
- make: Make the balloon squeak for the duration of your bathing experience.
- have: She has a very loud squeak for such a tiny shoe!
Adjective modifier
- pitched: The high pitched squeaks of territorial Common Shrews coming from the long grass.
- loud: She has a very loud squeak for such a tiny shoe!
- narrow: My Troop had a narrow squeak of being badly mauled, had we not taken cover.
- little: So you want to get rid of every little squeak and hum?
- high: The high pitched squeaks of territorial Common Shrews coming from the long grass.
- high-pitched: Walking up the stairs, Gabe cringed at the high-pitched squeaks that escaped from each step under the weight of his feet.
Modifying Another Word
- loudly: She followed the yellow signs for the clinic, her feet squeaking loudly on the polished tiles.
- just: Malcolm Turner Cheshire ' I was speechless, just squeaking!
- n't: I learned to wax the axle of the wheel so that it would n't squeak.
- not: The floor can then be replaced using screws to ensure it is secure and does not squeak.
Noun used with modifier
- pip: He was also noted to have said, " We shall squeeze the orange until the pips squeak, " in favor of reparations.
Used with why or when
- when: She had a really great smile and always squeaked when she was held.
Browse dictionary entries near squeak
- squawroot
- squawk box
- squawk
- squawfish
- Squaw Valley
- squaw man
- squaw
- squatty
- squatter
- squat
- squeak through
- squeaker
- squeaky-clean
- squeal
- squeamish
- squeegee
- squeeze
- squeeze bottle
- squeeze play
- squeeze through
